Building and Construction Public Service

A Universal Design for Building Cambodia

By Sun Chhun Hieng

After completing the course at QUT on “Ensuring Safety in the Construction Sector and Built Environment”, I was keen on working to improve accessibility for people with physical disability in Cambodia. I then arranged training programs in Cambodia, to disseminate  lessons learnt from Australia that are applicable in the Cambodian context and in conformity with the Cambodian law on Safety in the Construction Sector. These training programs aimed to improve accessibility and sustainability of Capital and Provincial Infrastructure Projects, focusing on the concept of universal design in guideline for constructing public infrastructure that is usable by everyone including people with disability (PWD), old person, women especial pregnant women, children, and vulnerable persons. The workshops gathered 123 participants from all 25 Capital and Provincial Administrations (CPA), as well as several other CPAs in 10 provinces.

I hope, as a result of my work, the community will be liveable for everyone.

In these workshops, I gave a presentation on the concept of universal design in making guidelines for constructing public infrastructure that is usable by everyone including people with disability, old person, women with special needs,  pregnant women, children, and vulnerable persons.

Because of this, CPAs started building public infrastructure with consideration of safety measure, universal design, environment and inclusiveness. For example, the commune building was constructed with accessibility for PWDs in mind.

I believe that these changes had a ripple effect on a wider scope and a longer term. It is my department’s role to keep providing guidance to CPA including sub-national administrations (SNA) and checking the implementation results annually. Moreover, the awareness raising will be made every year. I believe that the life of people with disability, women and children, elderly, and vulnerable will be improved.

Politically, I have to stress on the importance of democratic development that CPA will get support from people when everyone is included in the local development process.

I hope, as a result of my work, the community will be liveable for everyone.

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